Systems and Methods for Controlling Catheter Device Size

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a catheter, a housing configured to house at least a portion of the catheter, and an actuator movably coupled to the housing. The housing has a first port configured to receive a proximal end portion of the catheter and a second port configured to couple the housing to an indwelling vascular access device. A portion of the actuator is disposed within the housing and is configured to be movably coupled to a portion of the catheter. The actuator is configured to be moved a first distance to move a distal end portion of the catheter a second distance greater than the first distance from a first position to a second position. The distal end portion of the catheter is disposed within the housing when in the first position and is distal to the indwelling vascular access device when in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/019,763 entitled “Systems and Methods for Controlling Catheter DeviceSize”, filed Sep. 14, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/927,506 entitled, “Systems and Methods forControlling Catheter Device Size”, filed Mar. 21, 2018 (now U.S. Pat.No. 10,773,056), which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/474,203 entitled, “Systemsand Methods for Controlling Catheter Device Size”, filed Mar. 21, 2017,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate generally to catheter devices.More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to catheterdevices having a controlled size and/or catheter length.

Many medical procedures and/or surgical interventions include insertingan access device or fluid transfer device into a portion of the body.For example, catheters and/or other lumen-defining devices can beinserted into and/or through vascular structures to access portions ofthe body. In other instances, catheter and/or other lumen-definingdevices can be used to transfer fluids from or to a patient.

In some instances, access devices and/or the like can have relativelylong catheter lengths, which can present challenges during use. Forexample, in some instances, catheters and/or access devices used ininterventional cardiology can have a length of 300 centimeters (cm) ormore. In such instances, the use of such catheter and/or access devicescan be cumbersome and/or difficult. In addition, the length of suchcatheter and/or access devices can result in undesirable bending,flexing, and/or kinking.

In other instances, fluid transfer devices and/or the like can usecatheters and/or other lumen-defining devices to transfer fluids to orfrom a patient. In some instances, it may be desirable to maintain arelatively small and/or compact form factor of such fluid transferdevices to increase ease of use and/or decrease manufacturing and/ormaterial costs. In some such instances, however, maintaining arelatively small and/or compact form factor can result in an undesirablereduction in an effective length and/or “reach” of a catheter includedin the device.

By way of example, peripheral intravenous catheters or lines (PIVs) canbe inserted into a patient and used for infusing fluids and medications.In general, PIVs are not designed for blood extraction with failurerates that typically increase with indwelling times (e.g., due toobstructions, build up, debris, clots, fibrin, etc.). In some instances,however, a fluid transfer device can be coupled to a proximal portion ofa PIV (e.g., the portion outside of the body) and can be used to advancea catheter through the indwelling PIV to a position in which a distalend of the catheter extends beyond a distal end of the indwelling PIV.While such devices can position the distal end of the catheter in aportion of the vein receiving a flow of blood which may otherwise beobstructed or limited due to the presence of the indwelling PIV, somesuch devices can have a relatively long length in order to allow for thedesired placement of the catheter beyond the PIV.

Thus, a need exists for catheter devices have a controllable size and/orcatheter length.

SUMMARY

Devices and methods for transferring fluid to or from a patient througha placed peripheral intravenous catheter using a relatively compactdevice are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includesa catheter, a housing, and an actuator. The catheter has a proximal endportion and a distal end portion and defines a lumen extending throughthe proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The housing isconfigured to house at least a portion of the catheter. The housing hasa first port configured to receive the proximal end portion of thecatheter and a second port configured to couple the housing to anindwelling vascular access device. The actuator is movably coupled tothe housing. A portion of the actuator is disposed within the housingand is configured to be movably coupled to a portion of the catheter.The actuator is configured to be moved a first distance relative to thehousing to move the distal end portion of the catheter a second distancegreater than the first distance from a first position to a secondposition. The distal end portion of the catheter is disposed within thehousing when in the first position and extends through the second portsuch that the distal end portion of the catheter is distal to theindwelling vascular access device when in the second position and thesecond port is coupled to the indwelling vascular access device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a catheter device in afirst configuration and a second configuration, respectively, accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of a catheter device in afirst configuration and a second configuration, respectively, accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic illustrations of a catheter device in afirst configuration and a second configuration, respectively, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a catheter device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a catheter deviceaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein can be used in any suitable medicalprocedure and/or surgical intervention. For example, in someembodiments, a device such as those described herein can be used as anaccess device or the like during surgical intervention. In otherembodiments, a device such as those described herein can be used totransfer fluids between a patient and any external connection, fluidsource, fluid reservoir, etc. As one example, any of the embodimentsdescribed herein can be used, for example, to transfer fluids to or froma patient via an indwelling peripheral intravenous line (PIV) (or othersuitable access device or port). In such embodiments, the device can becoupled to an indwelling or placed PIV and can be manipulated to advancea catheter through the PIV to position a distal end portion of thecatheter beyond a distal end of the PIV (e.g., within a target vein). Insome embodiments, the devices can have a relatively compact form factoryet are arranged such that the compact form factor does not limit and/orreduce a length, “reach,” or “throw” of the catheter, as described infurther detail herein.

While described herein as being used, for example, to aspirate a volumeof bodily fluid (e.g., blood) from a patient, it should be understoodthat the embodiments and/or devices are not limited thereto. Forexample, in some instances, the embodiments and/or devices can be usedto aspirate bodily fluid including but not limited to, blood,cerebrospinal fluid, urine, bile, lymph, saliva, synovial fluid, serousfluid, pleural fluid, amniotic fluid, mucus, vitreous, air, and thelike, or any combination thereof. In other instances, the embodimentsand/or devices can be used to deliver one or more fluids from a fluidsource to the patient. In still other instances, the embodiments and/ordevices can be used in any suitable procedure or the like involvingcatheterization of a target region in the body. That is to say, theembodiments and/or devices are not limited to transferring fluids to orfrom a patient and can be used, for example, to provide access to atarget region in the body for any suitable purpose. While at least someof the devices are described herein as being used with and/or coupled toa PIV in order to transfer fluid to or from a patient, it should beunderstood that such use is presented by way of example only and notlimitation. In other instances, for example, any of the devicesdescribed herein can be coupled to and/or otherwise used with anysuitable access device such as a needle, a peripherally inserted centralcatheter (PICC), and/or any other lumen-containing device. Moreover, itshould be understood that references to “a patient” need not be limitedto a human patient. For example, any of the devices described herein canbe used in any suitable procedure performed on an animal (e.g., by aveterinarian and/or the like).

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter, a housing, and anactuator. The catheter has a proximal end portion and a distal endportion and defines a lumen extending through the proximal end portionand the distal end portion. The housing is configured to house at leasta portion of the catheter. The housing has a first port configured toreceive the proximal end portion of the catheter and a second portconfigured to couple the housing to an indwelling vascular accessdevice. The actuator is movably coupled to the housing. A portion of theactuator is disposed within the housing and is configured to be movablycoupled to a portion of the catheter. The actuator is configured to bemoved a first distance relative to the housing to move the distal endportion of the catheter a second distance greater than the firstdistance from a first position to a second position. The distal endportion of the catheter is disposed within the housing when in the firstposition and extends through the second port such that the distal endportion of the catheter is distal to the indwelling vascular accessdevice when in the second position and the second port is coupled to theindwelling vascular access device.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter, a housing, and anactuator. The catheter has a proximal end portion and a distal endportion and defines a lumen extending through the proximal end portionand the distal end portion. The housing is configured to house at leasta portion of the catheter. The housing having a first port configured toreceive the proximal end portion of the catheter and a second portconfigured to couple the housing to an indwelling peripheral intravenousline. The actuator is coupled to the housing and is configured to bemoved along a predetermined length of the housing. A portion of theactuator is disposed within the housing and is configured to movablyreceive a portion of the catheter. The actuator is configured to bemoved along the predetermined length of the housing to move the distalend portion of the catheter between a first position, in which thedistal end portion of the catheter is disposed within the housing, and asecond position, in which the distal end portion of the catheter extendsthrough the second port such that the distal end portion of the catheteris distal to the second port. The distal end portion of the catheter ismoved a distance greater than the predetermined length of the housingwhen moved between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, a method includes coupling a port of a fluidtransfer device to a peripheral intravenous line at least partiallydisposed within a vein of a patient. The fluid transfer device includesa housing having the port, a catheter movably disposed in the housing,and an actuator movably coupled to the housing. A portion of theactuator is disposed within the housing and is configured to movablyreceive a portion of the catheter. The actuator is moved a firstdistance relative to the housing, where the first distance is less thana length of the housing. The distal end portion of the catheter is moveda second distance relative to the housing as a result of moving theactuator the first distance, where the second distance is greater than alength of the housing. Moving the distal end portion of the catheter issuch that the distal end portion of the catheter is moved from a firstposition, in which the distal end portion of the catheter is disposed inthe housing, to a second position, in which the distal end portion ofthe catheter is distal to the port.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a catheter atleast partially disposed in the housing, and an actuator. The housinghas a first port that fixedly receives a proximal end portion of thecatheter, and a second port configured to couple the housing to anaccess device in fluid communication with a patient. The actuator ismovably coupled to the housing and is configured to movably receive aportion of the catheter. The actuator is configured to be moved a firstdistance relative to the housing to move the distal end portion of thecatheter a second distance greater than the first distance. The distalend portion of the catheter being moved between a first position withinthe housing to a second position in which a portion of the catheterextends through the second port such that the distal end portion of thecatheter is within the patient and distal to the access device.

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, the term “a member” is intended to mean a singlemember or a combination of members, “a material” is intended to mean oneor more materials, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the terms “catheter” and “cannula” are usedinterchangeably to describe an element configured to define a passagewayfor accessing a portion of the body (e.g., of a human and/or animal). Insome instances, the passageway defined by a catheter and/or cannula canbe used for moving a bodily fluid or physical object (e.g., a stent, apunctate plug, a hyaluronic-acid-gel, etc.) from a first location to asecond location. While cannulas can be configured to receive a trocar, aguide wire, or an introducer to deliver the cannula to a volume insidethe body of a patient, the cannulas referred to herein need not includeor receive a trocar, guide wire, or introducer.

As used herein, the words “proximal” and “distal” refer to the directioncloser to and away from, respectively, a user who would place the deviceinto contact with a patient. Thus, for example, the end of a devicefirst touching the body of the patient would be the distal end, whilethe opposite end of the device (e.g., the end of the device beingmanipulated by the user) would be the proximal end of the device.

The embodiments described herein and/or portions thereof can be formedor constructed of one or more biocompatible materials. In someembodiments, the biocompatible materials can be selected based on one ormore properties of the constituent material such as, for example,stiffness, toughness, durometer, bioreactivity, etc. Examples ofsuitable biocompatible materials include metals, glasses, ceramics, orpolymers. Examples of suitable metals include pharmaceutical gradestainless steel, gold, titanium, nickel, iron, platinum, tin, chromium,copper, and/or alloys thereof. A polymer material may be biodegradableor non-biodegradable. Examples of suitable biodegradable polymersinclude polylactides, polyglycolides, polylactide-co-glycolides (PLGA),polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyetheresters, polycaprolactones,polyesteramides, poly(butyric acid), poly(valeric acid), polyurethanes,and/or blends and copolymers thereof. Examples of non-biodegradablepolymers include nylons, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates,polymers of ethylene-vinyl acetates and other acyl substituted celluloseacetates, non-degradable polyurethanes, polystyrenes, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl fluoride, poly(vinyl imidazole), chlorosulphonatepolyolefins, polyethylene oxide, and/or blends and copolymers thereof.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a catheter device 100 in afirst configuration and second configuration, respectively, according toan embodiment. In some embodiments, the catheter device 100 (alsoreferred to herein as “device”) can be configured to couple to and/orotherwise engage an access device and/or the like and manipulated toplace a portion of a catheter in a desired position within the body. Forexample, the device 100 can be coupled to an indwelling peripheralintravenous catheter (PIV) to transfer bodily fluid from and/or transferfluid to a portion of a patient (e.g., aspirate a volume of blood orinfuse a drug or substance), as described in further detail herein.

The device 100 can be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. Asshown in FIG. 1, the device 100 includes at least a housing 110, acatheter 130 (or cannula), and an actuator 150. The housing 110 can beany suitable configuration. For example, in some embodiments, thehousing 110 can be an elongate member having a substantially circularcross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the housing 110and/or one or more features and/or surface finishes of at least an outersurface of the housing 110 can be arranged to increase the ergonomics ofthe device 100, which in some instances, can allow a user to manipulatethe device 100 with one hand (i.e., single-handed use). As described infurther detail herein, the arrangement of the device 100 is such thatthe housing 110 has a relatively compact length or the like withoutlimiting and/or reducing a length of the catheter 130.

The housing 110 has a first port 111 and a second port 112. The firstport 111 is configured to fixedly receive a proximal end portion 131 ofthe catheter 130 and the second port is configured to movably receive adistal end portion 132 of the catheter 130. While the first port 111 andthe second port 112 are shown in FIG. 1 as being disposed on the sameside of the housing 110 (e.g., a distal side and/or along a distalsurface), in other embodiments, a housing can include a first port and asecond port disposed at any suitable position along the housing (e.g.,the ports can be disposed along the same surface or along differentsurfaces).

The ports 111 and 112 can be any suitable configuration. For example, insome embodiments, the first port 111 can be a clamp, grommet, O-ring,compression member, Luer Lok™, and/or any other suitable coupler. Inthis manner, the first port 111 can receive the proximal end portion 131of the catheter 130 to allow a portion of the catheter 130 to bedisposed within the housing 110 while maintaining a fixed portion (e.g.,the proximal end portion 131) of the catheter 130 outside of the housing110, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, thesecond port 112 can be a lock mechanism and/or coupler configured tocouple the housing 110 to a PIV (e.g., an indwelling PIV) and/or anysuitable adapter coupled to a PIV (e.g., an IV extension set or thelike). For example, in some embodiments, the second port 112 can be aLuer Lok™, a “Clip-Lock-Snap” connection, and/or the like configured tophysically and fluidically couple to, for example, the PIV. Moreover,the second port 112 is configured to movably receive the distal endportion 132 of the catheter 130 to allow the distal end portion 132 ofthe catheter 130 to be advanced through the second port 112 and the PIV(not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) to be at least partially disposed within avein of a patient (e.g., the vein in which the PIV is dwelling), asdescribed in further detail herein.

The catheter 130 includes the proximal end portion 131 and the distalend portion 132 and defines a lumen (not shown) that extends through theproximal end portion 131 and the distal end portion 132. While describedas defining a lumen, in some embodiments, the catheter 130 can includeand/or define multiple lumens, channels, flow paths, etc. Although notshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the proximal end portion 131 of the catheter 130can include and/or can be coupled to a coupler and/or lock configured tophysically and fluidically couple the catheter 130 to any suitabledevice and/or reservoir (e.g., a syringe, fluid reservoir, samplereservoir, evacuated container, fluid source, etc.). The distal endportion 132 of the catheter 130 is configured to be inserted into aportion of a patient's body, as described in further detail herein.

At least a portion of the catheter 130 is movably disposed within thehousing 110. In some embodiments, the catheter 130 can be moved (e.g.,via movement of the actuator 150) between a first position and a secondposition to transition the device 100 between the first configurationand the second configuration, respectively. More specifically, thedistal end portion 132 of the catheter 130 is disposed within thehousing 110 when the catheter 130 is in the first position (FIG. 1) andat least a portion of the catheter 130 extends through the second port112 and the PIV (not shown) to place a distal end of the catheter 130 ina distal position relative to the PIV when the catheter 130 is in thesecond position (FIG. 2), as described in further detail herein.

The catheter 130 can be formed from any suitable material or combinationof materials, which in turn, can result in the catheter 130 having anysuitable stiffness or durometer. In some embodiments, at least a portionof the catheter 130 can be formed of a braided material or the like,which can change, modify, and/or alter a flexibility of the catheter 130in response to a bending force or the like. In some embodiments, formingthe catheter 130 of the braided material or the like can reduce alikelihood of kinking and/or otherwise deforming in an undesired manner.In addition, forming at least a portion of the catheter 130 of a braidedmaterial can result in a compression and/or deformation in response to acompression force exerted in a direction of a longitudinal centerlinedefined by the catheter 130 (e.g., an axial force or the like). In thismanner, the catheter 130 can absorb a portion of force associated with,for example, impacting an obstruction or the like.

The catheter 130 can be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration.For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the catheter 130can have an outer diameter (e.g., between 8 french and 18 french,between 8-gauge and 33-gauge, and/or any other suitable size or range ofsizes) that is substantially similar to or slightly smaller than aninner diameter defined by a portion of the second port 112 and/or aninner diameter defined by a portion of the PIV. In this manner, an innersurface of the second port 112 and/or PIV can guide the catheter 130 asthe catheter 130 is moved therethrough, as described in further detailherein. In some embodiments, such an arrangement can limit and/or cansubstantially prevent bending, deforming, and/or kinking of a portion ofthe catheter 130 during use.

In some embodiments, the catheter 130 can have a length sufficient toplace a distal surface of the catheter 130 in a desired positionrelative to a distal surface of the PIV when the catheter 130 is in thesecond position. In other words, the length of the catheter 130 can besufficient to define a predetermined and/or desired distance between thedistal surface of the catheter 130 and the distal surface of the PIVwhen the catheter 130 is in the second position. In some instances,placing the distal surface of the catheter 130 at the predeterminedand/or desired distance from the distal surface of the PIV can, forexample, place the distal surface of the catheter 130 in a desiredposition within a vein, as described in further detail herein.

In some embodiments, the length of the catheter 130 can be greater thana length of the housing 110. Moreover, a length of a portion of thecatheter 130 disposed in the housing 110 can be greater than the lengthof the housing 110. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, forexample, the portion of the catheter 130 disposed in the housing 110 canform and/or can be arranged in a U-shaped configuration. That is to say,the catheter 130 can form a U-bend or 180° turn in the housing 110. Theportion of the catheter 130 disposed in the housing 110 can be mirroredabout a centerline of the U-bend or the like. Thus, the arrangement ofthe catheter 130 substantially doubles a length L₁ of the catheter 130disposed in the housing 110 when compared to a length of a catheterhaving a straight or non-bent configuration.

In some embodiments, the doubling of the length L₁ of the catheter 130disposed in the housing 110 can result in a similar doubling (orsubstantial doubling) of a “reach” of the catheter 130 for a givenlength of the housing 110. In other embodiments, the doubling of thelength L₁ of the catheter 130 disposed in the housing 110 can allow alength of the housing 110 to be reduced without a similar orcorresponding reduction in the length or reach of the catheter 130, asdescribed in further detail herein. Moreover, arranging the catheter 130in a U-shaped configuration within the housing 110 can result in ashorter unsupported portion of the catheter 130 when compared to anunsupported portion of a catheter having a straight or non-bentconfiguration. As described in further detail herein, such anarrangement can, for example, reduce a likelihood of undesired bowing,kinking, bending, deflecting, and/or deforming, as the catheter 130 isadvanced to the second position.

The actuator 150 of the device 100 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. The actuator 150 is movably coupled to the housing110 and the catheter 130. More specifically, the actuator 150 caninclude a first portion disposed outside of the housing 110 and a secondportion disposed within the housing 110. In this manner, a user canengage the first portion to move the actuator 150 relative to thehousing 110, as indicated by the arrow AA in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the housing 110 can define a range of motion of theactuator 150. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of theactuator 150 (e.g., coupling the first portion to the second portion)can extend through a slot defined by the housing 110. In suchembodiments, a length of the slot can define an axial range of motionfor the actuator 150. That is to say, the actuator 150 can move withinthe slot along a length of the housing 110.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second portion of the actuator150 is movably coupled to the catheter 130. For example, in someembodiments, the second portion of the actuator 150 can be a relativelyrigid sleeve or the like that defines a lumen configured to movablyreceive a portion of the catheter 130. In some embodiments, the secondportion (e.g., sleeve) can form a U-shape or the like such that aportion of the catheter 130 disposed within the second portion of theactuator 150 likewise forms a U-shape (as described above). In otherembodiments, the second portion can form a U-shaped channel or opensurface (e.g., not forming an enclosed sleeve). In still otherembodiments, the second portion can form any suitable shape and/or caninclude any suitable contoured surface. For example, in someembodiments, the second portion can be L-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped,etc. having any suitable radius of curvature. The arrangement of thesecond portion and the catheter 130 is such that the catheter 130 canmove substantially freely through the second portion. In otherembodiments, an outer surface of the catheter 130 can contact an innersurface of the second portion of the actuator 150 such that a frictionforce resulting from the contact at least partially resists movement ofthe catheter 130 through the second portion of the actuator 150.

The arrangement of the device 100 is such that moving the actuator 150along a length of the housing 110 advances a portion of the catheter 130through the actuator 150, which in turn, moves the distal end portion132 of the catheter 130 between the first position and the secondposition. As described above, the proximal end portion 131 of thecatheter 130 is fixedly coupled to the first port 111 while the distalend portion 132 of the catheter 130 is configured to be moved relativeto the housing 110 (e.g., through the second port 112). Thus, as shownin FIG. 2, moving the actuator 150 in a distal direction (e.g., the AAdirection) advances a portion of the catheter 130 through the actuator150 (e.g., the second portion of the actuator 150, not shown). In turn,the distal end portion 132 of the catheter 130 is moved from the firstposition (FIG. 1) to the second position (FIG. 2). By having theproximal end portion 131 of the catheter 130 fixedly coupled to thefirst port 111 and by arranging the catheter 130 in a U-shape within thehousing 110 (as described above), moving the actuator 150 a firstdistance D₁ (FIG. 2) moves the distal end portion 132 of the catheter130 a second distance D₂ (FIG. 2) that is substantially twice the firstdistance D₁. In some instances, the second distance D₂ can be sufficientto dispose a distal surface of the catheter 130 in a desired positionrelative to a distal surface of the PIV (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Inthis manner, the device 100 can include the housing 110 that has acompact, limited, and/or reduced length while the catheter 130 has alength sufficient to extend a desired distance (e.g., at least partiallyinto a PIV or at least partially through the PIV such that the distalend portion 132 of the catheter 130 is beyond or distal to a distal endof a PIV).

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of a catheter device 200 in afirst configuration and second configuration, respectively, according toan embodiment. In some embodiments, the catheter device 200 (alsoreferred to herein as “device”) can be configured to couple to and/orotherwise engage an access device and/or the like and manipulated toplace a portion of a catheter in a desired position within the body. Forexample, the device 200 can be coupled to an indwelling peripheralintravenous catheter (PIV) 205 to transfer bodily fluid from and/ortransfer fluid to a portion of a patient, as described in further detailherein.

The device 200 can be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. Asshown in FIG. 3, the device 200 includes at least a housing 210, acatheter 230 (or cannula), and an actuator 250. The housing 210 can beany suitable configuration. For example, in some embodiments, thehousing 210 can be an elongate member having a substantially circularcross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the housing 210and/or one or more features and/or surface finishes of at least an outersurface of the housing 210 can be arranged to increase the ergonomics ofthe device 200, which in some instances, can allow a user to manipulatethe device 200 with one hand (i.e., single-handed use). In someembodiments, the housing 210 can be substantially similar to the housing110 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, portions ofthe housing 210 are not described in further detail herein.

The housing 210 has a proximal end portion 214 and a distal end portion215. The housing 210 includes a first port 211 and a second port 212.The ports 211 and 212 can be any suitable configuration such as thosedescribed above with reference to the first port 111 and the second port112, respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the firstport 211 and the second port 212 are disposed on or along the distal endportion 215 of the housing 210. The first port 211 is configured tofixedly receive a proximal end portion 231 of the catheter 230. Thesecond port 212 is configured to movably receive a distal end portion232 of the catheter 230. Moreover, the second port 212 can be a lockmechanism and/or coupler configured to couple the housing 210 to the PIV205 (e.g., an indwelling PIV), as described above.

The catheter 230 of the device 200 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the catheter 230can be substantially similar to the catheter 130 described above withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, portions of the catheter 230 are notdescribed in further detail herein. For example, as described above withreference to the catheter 130, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the catheter 230 can be formed from any suitable material such as thosedescribed herein. Similarly, the catheter 230 can have any suitablediameter configured to allow at least a portion of the catheter 230 tobe moved through the second port 212 without undesirable bending,deforming, kinking, etc., as described above with reference to thecatheter 130.

Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the catheter 230 defines a lumenthat extends through the proximal end portion 231 and the distal endportion 232. The proximal end portion 231 of the catheter 230 includesand/or is coupled to a coupler 233 (e.g., a Luer Lok™ or the like)configured to physically and fluidically couple the catheter 230 to anysuitable device and/or reservoir (e.g., a syringe, fluid reservoir,sample reservoir, evacuated container, fluid source, etc.). The distalend portion 232 of the catheter 230 is configured to be inserted into aportion of a patient's body, as described in further detail herein.

At least a portion of the catheter 230 is movably disposed within thehousing 210. In some embodiments, the catheter 230 can be moved (e.g.,via movement of the actuator 250) between a first position, in which thedistal end portion 232 of the catheter 230 is disposed within thehousing 210 (FIG. 3), and a second position, in which at least a portionof the catheter 230 extends through the second port 212 and the PIV 205to place a distal end of the catheter 230 in a distal position relativeto the PIV 205 (FIG. 4), as described in further detail herein. In someembodiments, the catheter 230 can have a length sufficient to place adistal surface of the catheter 230 in a desired position relative to adistal surface of the PIV 205 when the catheter 230 is in the secondposition. In other words, the length of the catheter 230 can besufficient to define a predetermined and/or desired distance between thedistal surface of the catheter 230 and the distal surface of the PIV 205when the catheter 230 is in the second position. In some instances,placing the distal surface of the catheter 230 at the predeterminedand/or desired distance from the distal surface of the PIV 205 can, forexample, place the distal surface of the catheter 230 in a desiredposition within a vein.

In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined and/or desireddistance between the distal surface of the catheter 230 and the distalsurface of the PIV 205 can be between about 0.0 millimeters (mm) andabout 50.0 mm. In other embodiments, the predetermined and/or desireddistance can be between about 15.0 mm and about 30.0 mm. In still otherembodiments, the distal end portion 232 of the catheter 230 can beadvanced, for example, through a hub of the PIV 205 while remainingproximal to the distal surface of the PIV 205 (e.g., the distal endportion 232 of the catheter 230 does not extend through the PIV 205).For example, in some embodiments, the predetermined and/or desireddistance between the distal surface of the catheter 230 and the distalsurface of the PIV 205 can be when the distal surface of the catheter230 is between about 80.0 mm and about 0.0 mm proximal to the distalsurface of the PIV 205 (e.g., −80.0 mm to about 0.0 mm).

In some embodiments, the length of the catheter 230 can be based atleast in part on a desired and/or intended use. For example, in someembodiments, the device 200 can be configured for use in interventionalcardiology wherein the catheter 230 can have a length of, for example,320.0 centimeters (cm) or more. In other embodiments, the device 200 canbe configured for use in fluid transfer via a PIV (as described indetail herein) and can have a length between about 1.77 cm and about25.4 cm (about 0.5 inches (in) to about 10.0 in).

In some embodiments, the length of the catheter 230 can be greater thana length of the housing 210. Accordingly, a portion of the catheter 230can be arranged in the housing 210 such that a length of the portion ofthe catheter 230 disposed therein is greater than a length of thehousing 210. For example, as described in detail above with reference tothe catheter 130, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the catheter230 can be disposed in the housing 210 in a U-shaped configuration. Thatis to say, the catheter 230 can form a U-bend or 180° turn in thehousing 210. The portion of the catheter 230 disposed in the housing 210can be mirrored about a centerline of the U-bend or the like. Thus, thearrangement of the catheter 230 doubles a length of the catheter 230disposed in the housing 210 without increasing a length of the housing210, as described above with reference to the device 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Moreover, in some embodiments, the U-shaped configuration ofthe catheter 230 can result in a reduced portion of the catheter 230that is unsupported within the housing 210, which in turn, can reduce alikelihood of undesired kinking, bending, bowing, deflecting, deforming,etc. of a portion of the catheter 230 as the catheter 230 is movedtoward the second position. In other words, reducing an unsupportedlength of the catheter 230 can result in the catheter 230 being more“pushable” (e.g., able to be advanced without undesired reconfiguration)from the first position to the second position.

The actuator 250 of the device 200 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the actuator 250 ismovably coupled to the housing 210 and the catheter 230. The actuator250 includes a first portion 251 (e.g., an engagement portion) disposedoutside of the housing 210 and a second portion 252 (e.g., a sleeveportion) disposed within the housing 210. The first portion 251 of theactuator 250 can be arranged as a push button, tab, knob, slider, etc.The second portion 252 of the actuator 250 can be, for example, arelatively rigid sleeve, tube, conduit, channel, and/or the like thatdefines a lumen, surface, and/or path within or along which a portion ofthe catheter 230 can be moved. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondportion 252 is substantially U-shaped and can have any suitable radiusof curvature. The lumen and/or path defined by the second portion 252 ofthe actuator 250 movably receives the portion of the catheter 230 suchthat the portion of the catheter 230 disposed within the second portion252 of the actuator 250 likewise forms a U-shape, as shown in FIGS. 3and 4. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the secondportion 252 can be such that the portion of the catheter 230 can movesubstantially freely through the second portion 252 of the actuator 250without kinking, bending, binding, and/or otherwise undesirablydeforming. While the second portion 252 of the actuator 250 is shown anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 as being U-shaped, in otherembodiments, an actuator and/or a portion thereof can have any suitableshape, size, and/or configuration, as described in further detailherein.

As described above with reference to the actuator 150 shown in FIGS. 1and 2, a user can engage the first portion 251 of the actuator 250 tomove the actuator 250 (including the second portion 252 thereof)relative to the housing 210. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 210defines a slot 213 configured to receive a portion of the actuator 250.The slot 213 has a length L₂ extending along a surface of the housing210. Thus, with a portion of the actuator 250 disposed within the slot213, the slot 213 is operable to define a range of motion of theactuator 250 relative to the housing 210. For example, the actuator 250can be moved in a substantially axial direction along the length L₂ ofthe slot 213. Moreover, the slot 213 can be relatively thin such thatlateral movement of the actuator 250 relative to the housing 210 (e.g.,perpendicular to the axial motion) is limited and/or substantiallyprevented. Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, anouter surface of the housing 210 and/or a surface defining at least aportion of the slot 213 can include and/or can form a set of ribs,ridges, bumps, notches, etc. configured to be in contact with a surfaceof the actuator 250. In such embodiments, the surface of the actuator250 can move along the ribs or the like as the actuator 250 is moved inthe slot 213. As such, the movement can result in a haptic and/oraudible output that can provide a user with an indicator or the likeassociated with movement of the actuator 250 and/or catheter 230. Insome embodiments, the arrangement of the ribs or the like and theactuator 250 can act as a ratchet system or the like that can, forexample, retain the actuator 250 (and thus, the catheter 230) in asubstantially fixed position along the slot 213 in the absence of anexternal force being applied on the actuator 250 (e.g., a force appliedby the user).

The arrangement of the device 200 is such that moving the actuator 250(e.g., the first portion 251 and the second portion 252, collectively)along a length of the housing 210 advances a portion of the catheter 230through the second portion 252 of the actuator 250. In turn, the distalend portion 232 of the catheter 230 is moved between the first positionand the second position. As described above with reference to the device100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the proximal end portion 231 of thecatheter 230 fixedly coupled to the first port 211 and the distal endportion 232 of the catheter 230 configured to move relative to thehousing 210, moving the actuator 250, for example, in a distal directionadvances a portion of the catheter 230 through the second portion 252 ofthe actuator 250. The advancement of the catheter 230 through the secondportion 252 of the actuator 250, in turn, moves the distal end portionof the catheter 230 from the first position to the second position,thereby transitioning the device 200 from the first configuration (FIG.3) to the second configuration (FIG. 4).

As described above, the arrangement of the device 200 is such thatmoving the actuator 250 a first distance D₃ results in the distal endportion 232 of the catheter 230 being moved a second distance D₄ that issubstantially twice the first distance D₃. In other words, displacementof the distal end portion 232 of the catheter 230 is approximatelydouble the displacement of the actuator 250. In some instances, such anarrangement can be considered and/or referred to as a “length doubling”and/or “displacement doubling.” When accessing a vein or the like viathe PIV 205, the second distance D₄ can be sufficient to dispose adistal surface of the catheter 230 in a desired position relative to adistal surface of the PIV 205. For example, in some instances, at may bedesirable to position the distal surface of the catheter 230 distal tothe distal surface of the PIV 205. In such instances, the arrangement ofthe device 200 can be such that the housing 210 has a compact, limited,and/or reduced length while the catheter 230 has a length sufficient toextend beyond a distal end of the PIV 205.

While the arrangement of the actuator 250 and catheter 230 is describedabove as being used, for example, to double an amount displacement ofthe distal end portion for a given displacement of the actuator, in someembodiments, the arrangement can also reduce an amount of forceassociated with advancing the distal end portion 232 of the catheter230. For example, in some embodiments, the “displacement doubling”arrangement can be such that the distal end portion 232 of the catheter230 is advanced with approximately half the force that is applied on theactuator 250. In this manner, the “displacement doubling” arrangementcan have and/or can be associated with a mechanical advantage similar tothat of, for example, a block and tackle system. In some instances,reducing an amount of force associated with advancement of the catheter230 can reduce and/or limit damage to the catheter 230 and/or otherstructure (e.g., a vein wall or portion of the PIV 205) that mayotherwise result from the distal surface of the catheter 230 impactingan obstruction or the like.

While the proximal end portion 231 and the distal end portion 232 of thecatheter 230 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as extending from, for example,a distal surface of the housing 210 (i.e., the same surface), in otherembodiments, a device can be configured such that a proximal end portionof a catheter extends through, for example, a proximal surface of ahousing and a distal end portion of the catheter extends through, forexample, a distal surface of the housing. For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 areschematic illustrations of a catheter device 300 in a firstconfiguration and second configuration, respectively, according to anembodiment. In some embodiments, the catheter device 300 (also referredto herein as “device”) can be configured to couple to and/or otherwiseengage an access device and/or the like and manipulated to place aportion of a catheter in a desired position within the body. Forexample, the device 300 can be coupled to an indwelling peripheralintravenous catheter (PIV) 305 to transfer bodily fluid from (e.g.,aspiration of blood) and/or transfer fluid to (e.g., infusion of a drugor substance) a portion of a patient, as described in further detailherein.

The device 300 can be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. Asshown in FIG. 5, the device 300 includes at least a housing 310, acatheter 330 (or cannula), and an actuator 350. In some embodiments, thedevice 300 can be substantially similar in form and/or function to thedevices 100 and/or 200 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2and FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. Thus, portions of the device 300 arenot described in further detail herein.

The housing 310 can be any suitable configuration. For example, in someembodiments, the housing 310 can be an elongate member having asubstantially circular cross-sectional shape. As described above withreference to the housings 110 and 210, in the embodiment shown in FIGS.5 and 6, the housing 310 includes a first port 311 configured to fixedlyreceive a proximal end portion 331 of the catheter 330 and a second port312 configured to movably receive a distal end portion 332 of thecatheter 330. The ports 311 and 312 can be any suitable configuration.For example, in some embodiments, the first port 311 and the second port312 can be substantially similar to the first port 111 and the secondport 112, respectively, and thus, are not described in further detailherein.

The housing 310 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 differs from the housings 110 and210, however, by disposing and/or forming the ports 311 and 312 onopposite sides of the housing 310. For example, the first port 311,configured to fixedly couple to the proximal end portion 331 of thecatheter 330, can be disposed on a proximal surface of the housing 310and the second port 312, configured to movably receive the distal endportion 332 of the catheter 330, can be disposed on a distal surface ofthe housing 310. Moreover, the housing 310 can differ from the housings110 and/or 210 by including a post 314 disposed within the housing 310.The post 314 is configured to engage a portion of the catheter 330within the housing 310, as described in further detail herein.

The catheter 330 of the device 300 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the catheter 330can be substantially similar to the catheter 130 described above withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, portions of the catheter 330 are notdescribed in further detail herein. For example, as described above withreference to the catheter 130, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,the catheter 330 can be formed from any suitable material such as thosedescribed herein. Similarly, the catheter 330 can have any suitablediameter configured to allow at least a portion of the catheter 330 tobe moved through the second port 312 without undesirable bending,deforming, kinking, etc., as described above with reference to thecatheter 130.

Although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the catheter 330 defines a lumenthat extends through the proximal end portion 331 and the distal endportion 332. The proximal end portion 331 of the catheter 330 includesand/or is coupled to a coupler 333 (e.g., a Luer Lok™ or the like)configured to physically and fluidically couple the catheter 330 to anysuitable device and/or reservoir (e.g., a syringe, fluid reservoir,sample reservoir, evacuated container, fluid source, etc.). As describedabove, the proximal end portion 331 of the catheter 330 is fixedlycoupled to and/or disposed within the first port 311 disposed on or neara proximal surface of the housing 310. The distal end portion 332 of thecatheter 330 is configured to be inserted into a portion of a patient'sbody, as described in further detail herein.

At least a portion of the catheter 330 is movably disposed within thehousing 310. In some embodiments, the catheter 330 can be moved (e.g.,via movement of the actuator 350) between a first position, in which thedistal end portion 332 of the catheter 330 is disposed within thehousing 310 (FIG. 5), and a second position, in which at least a portionof the catheter 330 extends through the second port 312 and the PIV 305to place a distal end of the catheter 330 in a desired position relativeto the PIV 305 (FIG. 6), as described in further detail herein. In someembodiments, the catheter 330 can have a length sufficient to place adistal surface of the catheter 330 in a desired position relative to adistal surface of the PIV 305 when the catheter 330 is in the secondposition. In other words, the length of the catheter 330 can besufficient to define a predetermined and/or desired distance between thedistal surface of the catheter 330 and the distal surface of the PIV 305when the catheter 330 is in the second position. In some instances,placing the distal surface of the catheter 330 at the predeterminedand/or desired distance from the distal surface of the PIV 305 can, forexample, place the distal surface of the catheter 330 in a desiredposition within a vein, as described above with reference to thecatheter 230.

The catheter 330 can have any suitable length such as, for example,those described above with reference to the catheter 230. In someembodiments, the length of the catheter 330 can be greater than a lengthof the housing 310. In some embodiments, a portion of the catheter 330can be arranged in the housing 310 such that a length of the portion ofthe catheter 330 disposed therein is greater than the length of thehousing 310. For example, as described in detail above with reference tothe catheters 130 and 230, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, thecatheter 330 can be disposed in the housing 310 and can form one or moreU-bends or 180° turns in the housing 310. Thus, the arrangement of thecatheter 330 allows for an increase in a length of the catheter 330disposed in the housing 310 without increasing a length of the housing310, as described above with reference to the device 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Moreover, by forming at least one U-bend or at least one 180°turn, an effective length, reach, and/or throw of the catheter 330 canbe increased without increasing a length of the housing 310. In otherembodiments, such an arrangement can allow for a reduction in the lengthof the housing 310 without reducing the effective length, reach, and/orthrow of the catheter 330, as described in further detail herein.

While described as forming one or more U-bends or 180° turns in thehousing 310 in a manner substantially similar to that described abovewith reference to the devices 100 and 200, the device 300 can differfrom the devices 100 and 200 by arranging a portion of the catheter 330within the housing 310 in a serpentine configuration (e.g., having twoor more U-bends or, for example, a W-shaped bend). For example, as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 310 includes the post 314 configured toengage a portion of the catheter 330. More specifically, a portion ofthe catheter 330 can bend or wrap around the post to form a U-bend orthe like with one end of the catheter 330 extending toward the firstport 311 and an opposite end of the catheter 330 extending toward aportion of the actuator 350. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,the post 314 can be substantially stationary or fixed and, as such, alength of a portion of the catheter 330 disposed between the first port311 and the post 314 can similarly be fixed. As described in furtherdetail herein, in use, the actuator 350 can be moved relative to thehousing 310 and as such, can decrease or increase a length of a portionof the catheter 330 disposed between the post 314 and the portion of theactuator 350.

The actuator 350 of the device 300 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator 350 ismovably coupled to the housing 310 and the catheter 330. The actuator350 includes a first portion 351 (e.g., an engagement portion) disposedoutside of the housing 310 and a second portion 352 (e.g., a sleeveportion) disposed within the housing 310. The first portion 351 of theactuator 350 can be arranged as a push button, tab, knob, slider, etc.The second portion 352 of the actuator 350 can be, for example, arelatively rigid sleeve, tube, conduit, channel, surface, and/or thelike that defines a lumen or path configured to movably receive aportion of the catheter 330. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the secondportion 352 is substantially U-shaped and movably receives the portionof the catheter 330 such that the portion of the catheter 330 disposedtherein likewise forms a U-shape, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In someembodiments, the actuator 350 can be similar to and/or substantially thesame as the actuator 250 and thus, is not described in further detailherein.

As described above with reference to the actuators 150 and 250, a usercan engage the first portion 351 of the actuator 350 to move theactuator 350 (including the second portion 352 thereof) through, within,and/or along a slot 313 defined by the housing 310. Thus, the slot 313defines a range of motion of the actuator 350 relative to the housing310, as described above.

The arrangement of the device 300 is such that moving the actuator 350(e.g., the first portion 351 and the second portion 352, collectively)along a length of the housing 310 advances a portion of the catheter 330through the second portion 352 of the actuator 350. In turn, the distalend portion 332 of the catheter 330 is moved between the first positionand the second position. More specifically, the user can exert a forceon the first portion 351 of the actuator 350 to move the actuator 350relative to the housing 310. Accordingly, the second portion 352 of theactuator 350 moves within the housing 310, which in turn, decreases orincreases a distance between the second portion 352 of the actuator 350and the post 314 of the housing 310. In other words, moving the actuator350 relative to the housing 310 decreases or increases a length of thecatheter 330 disposed between the post 314 and the second portion 352 ofthe actuator 350, as shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5and 6, the post 314 can form an anchor or fixation point for a portionof the catheter 330 such that the post 314 functions substantiallysimilar to the first port 311. Thus, moving the actuator 350 in a distaldirection advances a portion of the catheter 330 through the secondportion 352 of the actuator 350, which in turn, moves the distal endportion 332 of the catheter 330 from the first position to the secondposition, as described in detail above with reference to the devices 100and/or 200.

Moving the distal end portion 332 of the catheter 330 between the firstposition and the second position transitions the device 300 from thefirst configuration (FIG. 5) to the second configuration (FIG. 6). Asdescribed above, with the post 314 functioning in a substantiallysimilar manner as the first port 311, the arrangement of the device 300is such that moving the actuator 350 a first distance D₅ results in thedistal end portion 332 of the catheter 330 being moved a second distanceD₆ that is substantially twice the first distance D₅. In other words,displacement of the distal end portion 332 of the catheter 330 isapproximately double the displacement of the actuator 350. In someinstances, such an arrangement can be considered and/or referred to as a“length doubling” and/or “displacement doubling,” described in detailabove with reference to the device 200.

When accessing a vein or the like via the PIV 305, the second distanceD₆ can be sufficient to dispose a distal surface of the catheter 330 ina desired position relative to a distal surface of the PIV 305, asdescribed above with reference to the device 200. In this manner, thedevice 300 can include the housing 310 having a compact, limited, and/orreduced length while providing the catheter 330 with a length sufficientto extend beyond a distal end of a PIV 305. Moreover, by including thepost 314 and arranging a portion of the catheter 330 in a serpentineconfiguration (e.g., forming two U-bends or the like), the first port311 can be disposed on a proximal end portion of the housing 310 and thesecond port 312 can be disposed on a distal end portion of the housing310.

While the post 314 is described above as being substantially stationaryor fixed, in other embodiments, the post 314 can be formed as and/or caninclude a rotor or pulley configured to rotate about an axis defined bythe post 314. In some embodiments, such a pulley can include and/or canact as a clutch, brake, and/or controller that can facilitate and/orresist movement of the catheter 330 relative to the post 314. Moreover,in some embodiments, the post 314 can be configured to move (e.g.,independent of movement of the actuator 350) between a locked orunlocked position. For example, in some embodiments, the post 314 can bemoved in a linear motion to clamp, squeeze, and/or constrain a portionof the catheter 330 between the post 314 and, for example, an innersurface of the housing 310 (e.g., a locked position). In this position,the post 314 can “lock” the catheter 330 in a fixed position. In someembodiments, the post 314 can be a coupler or the like configured tophysically and/or fluidically couple two portions of the catheter 330(e.g., couple the proximal end portion 331 to the distal end portion332). In this manner, the catheter 330 can have a first portion with onesize, shape, and/or set of characteristics and can have a second portionwith a different size, shape, and/or set of characteristics.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a catheter device 400 according toan embodiment. In some embodiments, the catheter device 400 (alsoreferred to herein as “device”) can be configured to couple to and/orotherwise engage an access device and/or the like and manipulated toplace a portion of a catheter in a desired position within the body. Forexample, the device 400 can be coupled to an indwelling peripheralintravenous catheter (PIV) 405 to transfer bodily fluid from (e.g.,aspiration of blood) and/or transfer fluid to (e.g., infusion of a drugor substance) a portion of a patient, as described in further detailherein.

The device 400 can be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. Asshown in FIG. 7, the device 400 includes at least a housing 410, acatheter 430 (or cannula), and an actuator 450. In some embodiments, thedevice 400 can be substantially similar in form and/or function to thedevice 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. For example,the catheter 430 and the actuator 450 can be substantially similar inform and/or function to the catheter 330 and the actuator 350,respectively, included in the device 300. Thus, such similar portions ofthe device 400 are not described in further detail herein.

The housing 410 can be any suitable configuration. For example, in someembodiments, the housing 410 can be substantially similar to the housing310 described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As such, thehousing 410 includes a first port 411 configured to movably receive aproximal end portion 431 of the catheter 430 and a second port 412configured to movably receive a distal end portion 432 of the catheter430. The ports 411 and 412 can be any suitable configuration such asthose described above with reference to the housing 310. The housing 410also includes a post 414 disposed within the housing 410 and configuredto engage a portion of the catheter 430, as described above withreference to the post 314 of the housing 310. The housing 410 shown inFIG. 7 can differ from the housing 310, however, by including a secondpost 415 disposed within the housing 410 and configured to engage aportion of the catheter 430 within the housing 410, as described infurther detail herein.

The catheter 430 of the device 400 can be any suitable shape, size,and/or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the catheter 430can be substantially similar to the catheter 330 described above withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, portions of the catheter 430 are notdescribed in further detail herein. At least a portion of the catheter430 is movably disposed within the housing 410. In some embodiments, thecatheter 430 can be moved (e.g., via movement of the actuator 450)between a first position, in which the distal end portion 432 of thecatheter 430 is disposed within the housing 410 (FIG. 7), and a secondposition, in which at least a portion of the catheter 430 extendsthrough the second port 412 and the PIV 405 to place a distal end of thecatheter 430 in a desired position relative to the PIV 405 (not shown),as described in detail above with reference to the device 300.

The actuator 450 of the device 400 is movably coupled to the housing410. The actuator 450 can be any suitable shape, size, and/orconfiguration. For example, in some embodiments, the actuator 450 issubstantially similar to the actuator 350 described above with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, portions of the actuator are not described infurther detail herein. As described above with reference to the actuator350, a user can engage a first portion 451 of the actuator 450 to movethe actuator 450 (including a second portion 452 thereof) through,within, and/or along a slot 413 defined by the housing 410. Thearrangement of the device 400 is such that moving the actuator 450(e.g., the first portion 451 and the second portion 452, collectively)along a length of the housing 410 advances a portion of the catheter 430through, along, and/or relative to the second portion 452 of theactuator 450. In turn, the distal end portion 432 of the catheter 430 ismoved between the first position and the second position, as describedin detail above with reference to the device 300.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the posts 414 and 415 can beconfigured to rotate in response to a movement of the catheter 430. Moreparticularly, the first post 414 can be configured to rotate in a firstdirection (e.g., a clockwise direction) and the second post 415 can beconfigured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction(e.g., a counterclockwise direction). In some embodiments, each of theposts 414 and 415 can be transitioned between at least a firstconfiguration and a second configuration to selectively control movementof the catheter 430. For example, the first post 414 can be configuredto rotate only in the first direction (e.g., the clockwise direction)when in the first configuration and the second post 415 can beconfigured to rotate only in the second direction (e.g., thecounterclockwise direction) when in the first configuration. Thus, whenthe posts 414 and 415 are in the first configuration, the movement ofthe catheter 430 from the first position to the second position (e.g.,in the distal direction), rotates the posts 414 and 415.

When the posts 414 and 415 are in the first configuration, however, eachpost 414 and 415 is substantially prevented from rotating in itsassociated opposite direction. For example, the first post 414 can besubstantially prevented from rotating in the second direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) and the second post 415 can be substantially preventedfrom rotating in the first direction (e.g., clockwise). In someinstances, this arrangement of the posts 414 and 415 is such thatmovement of the catheter 430 in the proximal direction (e.g., from thesecond position toward the first position) is substantially prevented.In other words, by preventing rotation of the posts 414 and 415 in theiropposite directions, the catheter 430 can be prevented from being movedin the proximal direction. In some embodiments, this can allow theactuator 450 to be moved in the proximal direction without acorresponding movement of the catheter 430 in the proximal direction.Thus, posts 414 and 415 and the actuator 450 can act as a ratchetingmechanism or the like that can allow the actuator 450 to be moved in thedistal direction a number of times (e.g., more than one time) to movethe catheter 430 in a distal direction (e.g., toward the secondposition). In some instances, such an arrangement can facilitate theinsertion and/or advancement of relatively long catheters such as, forexample, those used in interventional cardiology and/or the like.

In contrast, a user can transition the posts 414 and 415 from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration, in which the posts 414 and415 are configured to rotate in their associated opposite directions.For example, the first post 414 can be configured to rotate in thesecond direction (e.g., counterclockwise) and the second post 415 can beconfigured to rotate in the first direction (e.g., clockwise). In someembodiments, the posts 414 and 415 can be configured to rotate in eitherdirection when in the second configuration. With each post 414 and 415configured to rotate in its opposite direction, the catheter 430 can bemoved in the proximal direction (e.g., from the second position towardthe first position). For example, in some embodiments, the user can pullon the proximal end portion 431 of the catheter 430 to move the catheter430 in the proximal direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, theport 411 of the housing 410 can allow for movement of the catheter 430therethrough (e.g., in contrast to the devices 100, 200, and/or 300).Thus, when the posts 414 and 415 are in the second configuration, thecatheter 430 can be retracted.

While described as being transitioned between the first configurationand the second configuration, in some embodiments, the posts 414 and 415can be transitioned to a third configuration in which the posts 414 and415 are locked. In other words, rotation of the posts 414 and 415 ineither direction can be prevented. In this manner, the posts 414 and 415can limit and/or substantially prevent movement of the catheter 430 inthe proximal direction and the distal direction. In some embodiments,the device 400 can be in the third configuration prior to use (e.g., astorage configuration). Alternatively, the device 400 can be placed inthe third configuration after use such that at least a portion of thecatheter 430 is locked in a fixed position within the housing 410. Insuch instances, disposing, maintaining, and/or locking the portion ofthe catheter 430 in the housing 410 after use can reduce and/orsubstantially prevent undesirable fluid from exiting the catheter 430,which in turn, can reduce the spread of disease, etc.

While the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 have been shown and/ordescribed above as being coupled to a PIV, in other embodiments, thedevices can be coupled to any suitable access device, introducer,adapter, secondary or intermediate device, etc. For example, in someinstances, the second port 212 of the housing 210 of the device 200 canbe coupled to an extension set or the like, which in turn, is coupled toan indwelling PIV such as those described herein. The extension set canbe, for example, a dual port IV extension set such as a “Y-adapter” or“T-adapter.” In this manner, the terms “Y-adapter” and “T-adapter”generally describe an overall shape of the dual port IV extension set.In other embodiments, an extension set can be a single port IV extensionset. In these embodiments, the devices described herein can include acatheter having a length sufficient to extend from the housing of thedevice, through the extension set or other intermediate device, andthrough the PIV to position a distal end thereof distal to the PIV. Inother embodiments, the devices 100, 200, 300 can be coupled to anysuitable access device or the like and can be used for any suitableprocedure, surgery, etc.

In some instances, the transfer devices described herein can beassembled during one or more manufacturing processes and packaged in apre-assembled configuration. For example, in some instances, theassembly of the devices 200, 300, and/or 400 can be performed in asubstantially sterile environment such as, for example, an ethyleneoxide environment, or the like. In other embodiments, the transferdevices described herein can be packaged in a non-assembledconfiguration (e.g., a user can open the package and assemble thecomponents to form the device). The components of the devices can bepackaged together or separately. In some embodiments, the devices can bepackaged with, for example, a PIV, an extension set, a Y-adapter orT-adapter, and/or any other suitable component.

Any of the devices described herein can be used in any suitable process,procedure, method, and/or the like. For example, in some instances, thedevices described herein can be used in a medical procedure, process,and/or method for transferring fluid to or from a patient. Some suchprocedures can include, for example, aspirating a volume of bodily fluidfrom a patient via a previously placed or indwelling access device. Moreparticularly, any of the devices described herein can be used toaspirate a volume of blood from a patient via a previously placed orindwelling peripheral intravenous line.

For example, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 10 of using afluid transfer device according to an embodiment. The fluid transferdevice can be similar to or substantially the same as any of the devices100, 200, 300, and/or 400 described in detail herein. Accordingly, thefluid transfer device can include a housing, a catheter at leastpartially disposed within the housing, and an actuator movably coupledto the housing. A first portion of the actuator can be disposed outsideof the housing to allow a user to engage the actuator. A second portionof the actuator can be disposed within the housing and movably coupledto and/or otherwise configured to movably receive the catheter.

As shown in FIG. 8, the method 10 includes coupling the port of thefluid transfer device (or the housing) to a peripheral intravenous line(PIV) at least partially disposed within a vein of a patient, at 11.With the device coupled to the PIV (e.g., via the port), the actuator ismoved a first distance relative to the housing, at 12. Moreparticularly, the actuator can be in a first position relative to thehousing (e.g., a proximal position) and can be moved the first distanceto a second position relative to the housing (e.g., a distal position).In some embodiments, the actuator can be moved in response to a forceexerted by the user on a portion of the actuator disposed outside of thehousing. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first distance can be basedon a predetermined range of motion of the actuator. For example, asdescribed in detail above with reference to at least the devices 200,300, and/or 400, the housing can define a slot configured to movablyreceive a portion of the actuator. In such embodiments, a length of theslot can define a range of motion of the actuator relative to thehousing. In other words, the slot can define the first distance.

The method 10 further includes moving a distal end portion of thecatheter a second distance relative to the housing as a result of movingthe actuator the first distance, at 13. In other words, the arrangementof the device is such that moving the actuator the first distance, inturn, moves the distal end portion of the catheter the second distance.Moreover, as described in detail above with reference to the devices100, 200, 300, and/or 400, the second distance is greater than the firstdistance. In some embodiments, moving the actuator the first distance isoperable to move the distal end portion of the catheter the seconddistance from a first position, in which the distal end portion of thecatheter is disposed in the housing, to a second position, in which thedistal end portion of the catheter is distal to the port. In someinstances, moving the distal end portion of the catheter the seconddistance places the distal end portion beyond or distal to the PIV. Thatis to say, the catheter can extend through the port and the PIV to placethe distal end portion of the catheter in a distal position relative tothe PIV. In some instances, moving the distal end portion of thecatheter the second distance can place the distal end portion of thecatheter in a position suitable to transfer fluid to or from thepatient. For example, in some instances, a proximal end portion of thecatheter can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir,syringe, and/or container configured to receive a volume of bodily fluidfrom the patient via the catheter after the distal end portion of thecatheter has been moved the second distance, as described in detailabove.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Where schematics and/or embodiments described above indicatecertain components arranged in certain orientations or positions, thearrangement of components may be modified. Although various embodimentshave been described as having particular features and/or combinations ofcomponents, other embodiments are possible having a combination of anyfeatures and/or components from any of embodiments as discussed above.

While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, itwill be understood that various changes in form and details may be made.For example, while the second portions 252, 352, and 452 of theactuators 250, 350, and 450, respectively, are shown and described aboveas forming a sleeve, conduit, tube, channel, etc., in other embodiments,a device can include an actuator having any suitable arrangement. Forexample, in some embodiments, an actuator can include a second portionthat is a contoured open surface (e.g., not an enclosed tube or thelike). In such embodiments, the contoured open surface can have asickle-like shape and/or any other suitable shape. In other embodiments,an actuator can include a second portion having a pulley, bearing, pins,rollers, and/or the like configured to move in a linear direction inresponse to a movement of the actuator as well as to move in arotational direction as a portion of a catheter is advanced relative tothe second portion. In some instances, including an actuator with asecond portion configured as a pulley or the like can facilitatemovement of the catheter relative thereto. In other embodiments, thesecond portions 252, 352, and/or 452 of the actuators 250, 350, and/or450, respectively, can include an inner surface having an anti-frictioncoating or the like configured to facilitate movement of the cathetersrelative thereto.

Similarly, while the second portions 252, 352, and 452 of the actuators250, 350, and 450, respectively, are described above as beingsubstantially U-shaped or the like, in other embodiments, an actuatorcan include a second portion having any suitable size, shape, and/orconfiguration. For example, in some embodiments, the second portion ofthe actuator can have a relatively small radius of curvature and canhave, for example, a V-shape or the like. In other embodiments, thesecond portion of the actuator can have a W-shape with a center orcentral portion forming a clutch, brake, choke, etc. (e.g., can have anarrangement similar to the optional arrangement of the post 314described above). In other embodiments, the second portion can have anysuitable shape that allows for advancement of a portion of the catheteralong or relative to the second portion.

As another example, although not shown in the devices 100, 200, 300and/or 400, any of the housings included in the embodiments describedherein can include one or more internal supports or the like configuredto support the catheter within the housing. Such internal supports canbe, for example, guides, tracks, rails, springs, sleeves, sponges, pads,etc. configured to selectively engage a portion of the catheter. In thismanner, the internal supports can limit and/or substantially preventundesired deformation and/or deflection of a portion of the catheter asthe device is transitioned between the first configuration and thesecond configuration.

While described as limiting and/or substantially preventing undesireddeformation and/or deflection of the catheter, in other embodiments, thecatheter can be configured to deflect, bow, bend, and/or reconfigurewithout kinking and/or permanently deforming. For example, in someinstances, a distal end surface of the catheter may impact anobstruction or the like while being advanced from the first position tothe second position, which can at least temporarily obstruct and/orprevent further movement of the distal end portion of the catheter. Insuch instances, if a user continues to exert a force on the actuatorotherwise operable to move the catheter toward the second position, anunsupported portion of the catheter within the housing can bend, flex,bow, deflect, and/or otherwise be transitioned from an “unclutched”configuration to a “clutched” configuration. In other words, a portionof the force exerted on the actuator and otherwise operable to advancethe catheter toward the second position is operable to deflect, bend,flex, bow, etc. a portion of the catheter within the housing. As such, aforce transmitted to and/or through the distal surface of the catheter(e.g., on the obstruction) is reduced, which in turn, can reduce damageto the catheter, an access device through which the catheter is beingadvanced (e.g., a PIV), a venous structure (e.g., vein wall), and/or thelike.

In some embodiments, increasing or decreasing a durometer of thecatheter, a length of the catheter, a length of the housing, and/or anamount of support provided, for example, by an internal support member(e.g., a guide, track, rail, spring, pad, post, etc.) can allow for atuning or adjustment of the amount of deflection (e.g., “clutching”) ofthe catheter and/or an amount of force transferred through the catheter.In some embodiments, a portion of the catheter can impact and/or contactan inner surface of the housing (e.g., a sidewall) when bowed, flexed,deflected, and/or clutched. In some embodiments, this arrangement canproduce a visual, audible, and/or haptic indication that the distal endsurface of the catheter has impacted an obstruction. In someembodiments, an internal support member (as described above) such as apad or the like can be used to “tune” and/or alter for example, anaudible and/or haptic output or indication that the distal end surfaceof the catheter has impacted an obstruction.

While the catheter is described above being deflected, bowed, clutched,etc. in response to impacting an obstruction, in some embodiments, theactuator can be configured to absorb and/or deflect a portion of theforce otherwise used to advance the catheter toward the second position.For example, in some embodiments, an actuator such as the actuator 250can include a suspension member, device, and/or system disposed betweena first portion (e.g., the first portion 251) and a second portion(e.g., the second portion 252). Such a suspension member, device, and/orsystem can be a spring, a damper, a strut, a pad, etc. In someinstances, for example, the first portion can be configured to moverelative to the second portion in response to a force applied to thefirst portion when the catheter has impacted an obstruction or the like(as described above).

Although not described above with reference to specific embodiments, itshould be understood that any of the embodiments described herein can bemanipulated to retract a catheter from its second position to its firstposition. For example, in some instances, after withdrawing a desiredvolume of bodily fluid through the catheter 230 of the device 200, usercan manipulate the device 200 by moving the actuator 250 in a proximaldirection. As such, a portion of the catheter 230 is retracted throughthe second portion 252 of the actuator 250 as the actuator 250 is movedin the proximal direction such that a length of the catheter 230disposed within the housing 210 is increased. In other words, a user canmove the actuator 250 in a distal direction to advance the distal endportion 232 of the catheter 230 and can move the actuator in a proximaldirection (i.e., an opposite direction) to retract the distal endportion 232 of the catheter into the housing 210 (e.g., after use or thelike).

Any of the aspects and/or features of the embodiments shown anddescribed herein can be modified to affect the performance of thetransfer device. For example, radius of curvature of the second portion252 of the actuator 250 can be increased or decreased to facilitatemovement of the catheter 230 therethrough. In other embodiments, thelength of the housing 210 can be increased or decreased to accommodatethe catheter 230 having an increased or decreased length, respectively.By way of another example, any of the components of the transfer devices100, 200, 300, and/or 400 can be formed from any suitable material thatcan result in a desired hardness, durometer, and/or stiffness of thatcomponent.

Where methods and/or schematics described above indicate certain eventsand/or flow patterns occurring in certain order, the ordering of certainevents and/or flow patterns may be modified. Additionally, certainevents may be performed concurrently in parallel processes whenpossible, as well as performed sequentially.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a catheter having aproximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a lumenextending through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; ahousing configured to house at least a portion of the catheter, thehousing having a first port configured to receive the proximal endportion of the catheter and a second port configured to couple thehousing to an indwelling vascular access device, an actuator configuredto receive a portion of the catheter, the actuator configured to bemoved a first distance in a distal direction along the housing to movethe distal end portion of the catheter a second distance in the distaldirection greater than the first distance from a first position to asecond position, the distal end portion of the catheter being disposedwithin the housing when in the first position, the distal end portion ofthe catheter extending through the second port such that the distal endportion of the catheter is distal to the housing when in the secondposition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first portion of theactuator is disposed in the housing, and the housing comprises a slotconfigured to movably receive a second portion of the actuator, the slothaving a length equal to the first distance such that moving theactuator the first distance includes moving the actuator in the distaldirection from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slotopposite the first end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the firstportion of the actuator disposed in the housing forms a channel, thefirst portion of the catheter moving through the channel when theactuator is moved relative to the housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the channel is substantially U-shaped.
 5. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the first portion of the actuator disposed in the housing ismovably coupled to the portion of the catheter, the portion of thecatheter configured to move relative to the actuator and the housing asthe actuator is moved the first distance in the distal direction.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a proximal endportion and a distal end portion, each of the first port and the secondport being included in the distal end portion of the housing.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first port is fixedly coupled to theproximal end portion of the catheter and the second port movablyreceives at least the distal end portion of the catheter.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second distance is approximately twicethe first distance.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein moving theactuator the first distance in the distal direction moves the actuatorfrom a proximal position relative to the housing to a distal positionrelative to the housing.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: a catheter havinga proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a lumenextending through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; ahousing configured to at least temporarily house the catheter, thehousing having a first port coupled to the proximal end portion of thecatheter and a second port configured to couple the housing to anindwelling peripheral intravenous line; and an actuator, wherein aportion of the actuator is disposed within the housing and configured tomovably receive a portion of the catheter disposed in the housing, theactuator configured to be moved in a distal direction along apredetermined length of the housing to move the distal end portion ofthe catheter in the distal direction between a first position and asecond position, the distal end portion of the catheter being moved adistance greater than the predetermined length of the housing when movedbetween the first position and the second position.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the portion of the actuator disposed in the housing isa first portion of the actuator, and the housing defines a slotconfigured to movably receive a second portion of the actuator, the slothaving a length equal to the predetermined length.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the slot defines a range of motion associated with themovement of the actuator relative to the housing between a proximalposition and a distal position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe housing has a length, the length of the slot is less than the lengthof the housing, the distance associated with moving the distal endportion of the catheter from the first position to the second positionbeing greater than the length of the housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the catheter has a first length defined between the proximalend portion and the distal end portion, the housing has a second lengthdefined between a proximal end portion of the housing and a distal endportion of the housing, the first length being greater than the secondlength.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the portion of theactuator disposed in the housing movably receives the catheter such thata first portion of the catheter between the actuator and a distal end ofthe catheter is parallel to and offset from a second portion of thecatheter between the actuator and the first port.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the first portion of the catheter and the secondportion of the catheter have a substantially equal length prior tomoving the actuator in the distal direction.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, wherein a length of the first portion is greater than a length ofthe second portion after moving the actuator in the distal direction.18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the proximal end portion of thecatheter includes a coupler disposed outside of the housing, the couplerconfigured to couple the catheter to at least one of a fluid reservoiror a syringe, the catheter configured to transfer a volume of bodilyfluid to at least one of the fluid reservoir or the syringe,respectively, when in the second position.
 19. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the portion of the actuator disposed in the housing definesa channel that movably received the catheter, the channel beingsubstantially U-shaped.
 20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thedistance associated with moving the distal end portion of the catheterin the distal direction is approximately twice the predetermined lengthof the housing.